Grapevine plant named ‘Sugrafiftyfive’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct grapevine variety ‘Sugrafiftyfive’ is characterized by having dark red-purple, narrow-elliptic berries with a low-acid tropical flavor. The berries ripen in early July. The berries of ‘Sugrafiftyfive’ have 1 to 2 rudimentary soft seed traces per berry.

Latin name of the genus and species claimed: Vitis vinifera.

Variety denomination: ‘SUGRAFIFTYFIVE’.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of anew and distinct variety of grapevine, ‘Sugrafiftyfive’, as hereindescribed and illustrated. The new variety was first selected as breedernumber ‘GR509R’ by Terry A. Bacon in Wasco, Kern County, Calif. in June2015. The variety was originated by controlled hybridization.

The new variety ‘Sugrafiftyfive’ is characterized by having darkred-purple, narrow-elliptic berries with a low-acid tropical flavor. Theberries ripen in early July in the area of Wasco, Kern County, Calif.The berries of ‘Sugrafiftyfive’ have 1 to 2 rudimentary soft seed tracesper berry.

The seed parent is the varietal selection ‘Sugrafortyfive’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 27,424) and the pollen parent is the varietal selection‘05167-176-052’ (unpatented breeding selection). The parent varietieswere first crossed in May 2012. The date of first sowing was March 2013,and the date of first flowering was May 2014.

The new variety ‘Sugrafiftyfive’ was first asexually propagated inDecember 2015 in Wasco, Kern County, Calif., by Terry A. Bacon usinghardwood cuttings.

The new variety ‘Sugrafiftyfive’ differs from the seed parent‘Sugrafortyfive’ in that the berries of the new variety have a low-acidtropical flavor, while the berries of ‘Sugrafortyfive’ have a low-acidneutral flavor. The new variety also has a dark red-purple berrycompared to a black berry for ‘Sugrafortyfive’.

The new variety ‘Sugrafiftyfive’ differs from its pollen parent‘05167-176-052’ in that the fruit of the new variety begins ripeningabout July 5th compared to July 15th for ‘05167-176-052’. The newvariety ‘Sugrafiftyfive’ also differs from its pollen parent in that theberries of the new variety are darker red-purple in color with anarrow-elliptic shape compared to cylindrical shape berries with a redcolor for ‘05167-176-052’. In addition the berries of the new varietyhave a low-acid tropical flavor, while the berries of the pollen parenthave a mid-acid neutral flavor.

The berries of the new variety ‘Sugrafiftyfive’ have a darker red-purplecolor than ‘Flame Seedless’ (unpatented) and ‘Sheegene-12’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 20,252). The berries of the new variety ‘Sugrafiftyfive’ alsodiffer in that they have a narrow-elliptic shape compared to a roundshape for the berries of ‘Flame Seedless’ and an ovate shape for theberries of ‘Sheegene-12’. Additionally, the berries of the new variety‘Sugrafiftyfive’ and ‘Flame Seedless’ begin ripening about the sametime, about July 5^(th), compared to August 1st for ‘Sheegene-12’. Theberries of the new variety ‘Sugrafiftyfive’ have a low-acid tropicalflavor compared to a mid-acid neutral flavor for the berries of both‘Flame Seedless’ and ‘Sheegene-12’.

The new ‘Sugrafiftyfive’ variety has been shown to maintain itsdistinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagationsby, for example, cuttings and grafting.

Variations of the usual magnitude from the characteristics describedherein may occur with changes in any of a variety of factors such asgrowing conditions, irrigation, fertilization, pruning, management andclimatic variation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new grape variety‘Sugrafiftyfive’. The illustration shows the upper and lower surfaces ofthe leaves and exterior and sectional views of the fruit. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after the fruit was pickedand the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a colorrepresentation of this type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart, published by The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England, 1986.

Many of the descriptive values in this specification are based on andconform to those set forth by the International Board for Plant GeneticResources Institute Grape Descriptors (Vitis spp.) of 1983 and/or 1997,which was developed in collaboration with the Office International de laVigne et du Vin (OIV) and the International Union for the Protection ofNew Varieties of Plants (UPOV).

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to three-year-old‘Sugrafiftyfive’ plants grown in the vicinity of Wasco, Kern County,Calif. during 2018, and is believed to apply to plants of the varietygrown under similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

VINE

-   General: (Measurements taken on a three year old plant).    -   -   Vine size.—Large. Height: Approximately 2.0 m. Width:            Approximately 2.5 m.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous.        -   Density of foliage.—Dense.        -   Productivity.—Very productive.        -   Crop load.—Approximately 34 kg per vine after thinning.        -   Own root.—Yes.        -   Training method.—Typically cane pruned leaving six canes.        -   Resistance.—Average resistance and susceptibility to            diseases or pests of Vitis vinifera species.-   Trunk:    -   -   Shape.—Stocky.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 7.5 cm (at 30 cm above the soil            line).        -   Straps.—Short.        -   Surface texture.—Medium shaggy.        -   Inner and outer bark color.—Outer bark about Medium            Greyed-Orange 166C and Medium Greyed-Orange 173C weathering            to about Medium Greyed-Green 197B in outer bark.

SHOOTS

-   Young shoot:    -   -   Form of tip.—Wide open.        -   Intensity of anthocyanin coloration of tip.—Absent or very            weak.        -   Density of prostrate hairs on tip.—Sparse.        -   Density of erect hairs on tip.—Absent or very sparse.        -   Color.—About Medium Yellow-Green 144C.-   Woody shoot (observations made in the middle third of shoot):    -   -   Attitude before tying.—Semi-drooping.        -   Growth of axillary shoots.—Medium, mainly 17 cm to 21 cm.        -   Internode length.—Short, approximately 70 mm to 90 mm.        -   Width at node.—Approximately 13 mm to 15 mm.        -   Cross section.—Circular.        -   Surface texture.—Striated.        -   Main color.—About Medium Greyed-Orange 166C.        -   Color of dorsal side of internode.—About Medium            Greyed-Orange 166C.        -   Color of ventral side of internode.—About Medium            Greyed-Orange 166D.        -   Color of dorsal side of node.—About Medium Yellow-Green 146C            with Medium Greyed-Orange 166D.        -   Color of ventral side of node.—About Medium Yellow-Green            146C with Medium Greyed-Orange 166D.        -   Density of erect hairs on nodes.—Absent or Very Sparse.        -   Density of erect hairs on internodes.—Absent or Very Sparse.        -   Density of prostrate hairs on internodes.—Absent or Very            Sparse.        -   Density of prostrate hairs on nodes.—Absent or Very Sparse.-   Tendrils:    -   -   Distribution on the shoot at full flowering.—Discontinuous.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 4 mm.        -   Color.—About Light Yellow-Green 144D in mid-summer.        -   Form.—Bifurcated.        -   Number of consecutive tendrils.—Up to two.        -   Length of tendril.—Medium, approximately 15 cm to 19 cm.

LEAVES

-   Young leaves:    -   -   Color of upper surface of first 4 distal unfolded            leaves.—About Medium Green 138B.        -   Average intensity of anthocyanin coloration of six distal            leaves prior to flowering.—Absent.        -   Density of prostrate hairs between veins at lower surface of            4th distal unfolded leaf.—Absent or very sparse.        -   Density of erect hairs between veins at lower surface of 4th            distal unfolded leaf.—Absent or very sparse.        -   Density of prostrate hairs on veins at lower surface of 4th            distal unfolded leaf.—Absent or very sparse.        -   Density of erect hairs on veins at lower surface of 4th            distal unfolded leaf.—Absent or very sparse.-   Mature leaves (observations made on leaves in the middle third of    shoot):    -   -   Average length.—Large, approximately 130 mm.        -   Average width.—Large, approximately 200 mm.        -   Shape of blade.—Pentagonal.        -   Number of lobes.—Approximately five.        -   Mature leaf profile.—Undulate.        -   Blistering surface of blade upper surface.—Absent or very            weak.        -   Leaf blade tip.—In the plane of the leaf.        -   Undulation of margin.—Slight.        -   Thickness.—Average — typical of Vitis vinifera species.        -   Overall shape of teeth.—Mixture of both sides straight and            both sides convex.        -   Length of teeth.—Medium, ranging from about 4 mm to 10 mm.        -   Ratio length/width of teeth.—Very small, nearly 1:1.        -   General shape of petiole sinus lobes.—Half open.        -   Tooth at petiole sinus.—Absent.        -   Petiole sinus limited by veins.—Absent.        -   Shape of upper lateral sinus lobes.—Usually slightly open,            some closed.        -   Depth of upper lateral sinuses.—Deep, approximately 50 mm to            70 mm.        -   Density of prostrate hairs between veins on lower surface of            blade.—Absent to very sparse.        -   Density of erect hairs between veins on lower surface of            blade.—Absent to very sparse.        -   Density of prostrate hairs on main veins on lower surface of            blade.—Absent to very sparse.        -   Density of erect hairs on main veins on lower surface of            blade.—Absent to very sparse.        -   Density of prostrate hairs on main veins on upper surface of            blade.—Absent to very sparse.        -   Autumn coloration of leaves.—Mainly about Dark Green 139A            but some leaves are mixed Dark Green 138A with Dark            Greyed-Purple 187A and Dark Yellow-Green 154A.-   Upper leaf surface:    -   -   Color.—About Dark Green 139A.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth. dull.        -   Surface appearance.—Dull.        -   Anthocyanin coloration of main veins.—Absent or very sparse.-   Lower leaf surface:    -   -   Color.—About Dark Green 138A.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth, dull.        -   Surface appearance.—Dull.        -   Anthocyanin coloration of main veins.—Absent or very sparse.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length of petiole.—Approximately 80 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4 mm.        -   Length of petiole compared to middle vein.—Much shorter, 80            mm petiole compared to 140 mm middle vein.        -   Density of prostrate hairs on petiole.—Absent.        -   Density of erect hairs on petiole.—Absent.        -   Color.—About Medium Yellow-Green 147C.-   Buds:    -   -   Shape.—Conical.        -   Size.—Medium, approximately 3 mm wide×4 mm long.        -   Position.—Slightly held out.        -   Bud fruitfulness.—Good fertility, mostly fruitful in 3rd to            5th bud position with average of two clusters per shoot.        -   Time of bud burst.—Early, approximately March 8^(th), for            the region of the Southern San Joaquin Valley, Calif.

FLOWERS

-   General:    -   -   Flower type.—Fully developed stamen and fully developed            gynoecium.        -   Position of first flowering node.—Usually 4^(th) to 5^(th)            node of current season growth.        -   Number of inflorescences per shoot.—Average 2.        -   Time of full bloom.—Early for the area of the Southern San            Joaquin Valley, Calif. Approximately April 30^(th).

FRUIT

-   General:    -   -   Ripening period.—Very early, beginning about July 5^(th)            with mid-ripe about July 10^(th) in the area of the Southern            San Joaquin Valley, Calif.        -   Use.—Fresh market.        -   Storage quality.—Excellent.-   Cluster:    -   -   Form.—Conical, shouldered.        -   Cluster size (peduncle excluded).—Large.        -   Cluster length (peduncle excluded).—Approximately 240 mm.        -   Cluster width.—Approximately 160 mm.        -   Cluster weight.—Approximately 750 g.        -   Cluster density.—Medium, loose and full.        -   Number of berries.—Approximately 85.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Medium, approximately 23 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 6 mm.        -   Lignification of peduncle.—Weak.        -   Color.—About Medium Yellow-Green 146C.-   Berry:    -   -   Size.—Very large, approximately 8 g.        -   Dimensions.—Longitudinal axis: Approximately 26 mm.            Horizontal axis: Approximately 22 mm.        -   Uniformity of size.—Uniform.        -   Shape.—Broad elliptic.        -   Cross section.—Circular.        -   Skin color (without bloom).—About Dark Greyed-Purple 187A.        -   Flesh color.—Usually about Medium Green 138B near the center            and about Dark Greyed-White 156D around the perimeter            beneath the skin. Occasionally some Medium Red 41B            developing around the perimeter as the berry matures.        -   Anthocyanin color of flesh.—Weak.        -   Bloom (cuticular wax).—Medium.        -   Pedicel length.—Approximately 9 mm.        -   Pedicel thickness.—Medium, approximately 1.8 mm.        -   Berry separation from pedicel.—Difficult.        -   Seed traces.—Berries contain 1 to 3 about Dark Greyed-White            156B rudimentary soft seed traces per berry.        -   Berry firmness.—Very firm.        -   Flesh juiciness.—Juicy.        -   Flesh texture.—Crisp.        -   Particular flavor.—Low-acid with tropical aroma.        -   Refractometer test.—Approximately 18 Brix.        -   Juice ph.—Approximately 3.6.        -   Titratable acidity.—Approximately 0.49%.        -   Brix:acid ratio.—Approximately 38.8.-   Skin:    -   -   Skin thickness.—Medium, about 175 μm.        -   Skin texture.—Smooth.        -   Skin reticulation.—Absent.        -   Skin tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Skin tendency to crack.—Low.        -   Skin sensitivity to sunburn.—None or very low.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of grapevine as hereinillustrated and described.